My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was

cake is

she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you

be a little girl in

sing the

Rachel must close her eyes and make

must blow

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped

wasn’t

gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish.

you!” their parents

faces. Just like that, the strangers in

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

“The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to

anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for

topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have a

turned and headed toward

apartment

loud slam, the door was propped open

her head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

out on business? she

slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

see you’ve been getting along fine without

two steps

her as he pulled off his

were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin

approached her, forcing her back

had no idea what

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was